Origin City: Summer Break

Quiet City (Chapter Three)

I awake in my bed and for the first time, I don't hear a siren. For the first time, I can hear the birds chirp in the trees in my backyard. I peered out my window and saw no cop cars racing to attend something 12 Gang had caused because they were gone. Thanks to me and my crew...the cops can finally take a break. I checked my watch and saw a message from Sam. Of course, he's still asking about the files I took from him last night. Technically it was mine first and I didn't even have to call the cops...he's being a bum.

"It's just chem notes. No biggie." my text read. I hit send and started my day. Not being able to do anything except going to the base kinda sucks, but at least I can still do my hero thing. By the way, like my new phrase? Instead of Shazam, I "came" up with Hero Time. Totally not stolen. I then hear a knock on my door and my heart drops. The last time I was home alone I heard a knock, it was Spectrum. I clenched my fist as hard as I could, opened the door, and went for a jab. I stopped my fist right away once I saw who was on the other side. It was my friends...Nick and Jason.

"Whoa! Why you trying to knock me out?!" Nick yelped,

"Jesus. Jarahn almost sent you to the shadow realm." Jason said.

"What type of PTSD you got? Did some sort of hippie try to break into your home?" Nick pushed me out of the way and let himself in.

"No need to push him, Nick. But I'm with him. Why did you almost break his nose?" He enters behind Nick.

"How did you guys get my address?" I asked, ignoring their questions.

"I realized you walk the same way to the bus stop...so I walked the way you would come from. Then, I proceeded to knock on every single door until we reached the right one. Although, I didn't think the right one would try and punch me in the face. Now, why the heck did you try to punch me in the face?" Nick responded,

"Because my dad has a key. No one knocks on my door. Nobody." I stated.

"Okay...uh....you paranoid, my guy." He headed to my kitchen and opened the fridge. Big head thinks he owns the place.

"He has fair reasoning. He's prepared for anything." Jason commented, he shrugged as his head spun around my house, and then saw Nick in my fridge. "Nick. Why are you in his fridge?"

"This fridge is decked with food, man. What the hell? He's prepared for a freaking zombie apocalypse." Nick joked.

"Your home is pretty comforting. What were you up to?"

"Well, I'm grounded...so yeah. No phone. No outside...no FRIENDS." I replied,

"I mean, I won't tell if you won't," Nick joked, He fetches the pitcher of cherry-flavored Kool-Aid out of the fridge and grabs himself a glass.

"Hear about what happened last night? About 12 Gang?" Jason asked me,

"Yeah. Heard Pulse was the one to shut em' down." I fight my urge to smile about the accomplishment.

"Not surprised. Pulse has been going to war with them for the longest. Nice to see that he's gotten rid of them. Anyway, let's check out your room." Nick quickly darted up the steps. I tapped my watch and the door to my room shuts and locks. WHAM! He slams right into my door and falls onto the floor.

"Huh? Ayo, what the what? Your door shut right in my face!" He yelled.

"Yeah. I know. I have a remote to it." I laughed as I walked into the kitchen and grabbed another glass. I filled both glasses with cherry Kool-Aid. I put the pitcher back in the fridge and handed Jason a glass. "It's nice to see you guys out of school. Thanks for the surprise."

"Thank Nick. He bothered the staff to get my address and then forced me outta my home." Jason stated. He took the glass and started to take small sips.

"Eh. Don't mention it. Figured we'd check on you since you seemed pretty upset when you were dragged away by Ms. Henry. What made you slap Jay like that anyway?" Nick asked, he started to head down the stairs.